(57) The invention relates to an attractant for the beet armyworm moth (Spodoptera exigua)
wholly or partially consisting of a mixture of at least two compounds selected from
the group of
(a) cis-9-tetradecenyl acetate
(b) cis-11-tetradecenyl acetate
(c) cis-g,trans-12-tetradecadienyl acetate
(d) cis-9,cis-12-tetradecadienyl acetate, and
(e) tetradecyl acetate,
with the exception of mixtures of compound (a) with compound (b) and of compound (a)
with compound (c).
Further, the invention relates to an attractant composition consisting of one of the
abovementioned attractant mixtures combined with a carrier, as well as to an insect
trap provided with one of the abovementioned attractant mixtures or with an attractant
composition. Also, the invention relates to a process for controlling the beet armyworm
moth in which the abovementioned attractants or attractant compositions are used.
[0001] The present invention relates to an attractant for the beet armyworm moth (Spodoptera
exigua), to a composition for attracting the male beet armyworm moth, to an insect
trap and to a process for controlling the beet armyworm moth. Effective control of
the beet armyworm moth is highly desirable as the caterpillar of this insect causes
severe damage to a great variety of cultural crops in tropical and subtropical areas.
[0002] It was found that the sex pheromone of the female beet armyworm moth contains the
following compounds:
(a) cis-9-tetradecenyl acetate
(b) cis-11-tetradecenyl acetate
(c) cis-9, trans-12-tetradecadienyl acetate
(d) cis-9, cis-12-tetradecadienyl acetate, and
(e) tetradecyl acetate.
[0003] Among the abovementioned compounds compound (c), the cis-9,trans-12-tetradecadienyl
acetate is known as a component of the sex pheromone of Spodoptera exigua. See: Ann.
Entomol. Soc. Am.65, 398 ( 1972). Compound (a), the cis-9-tetradecenyl acetate is
known as a component of the pheromone of the fall armyworm moth, Spodoptera frugiperda
( J.E. Smith); see J. Econ. Entomol. 60 (5), page 1270 ( 1967). A mixture of compound
(a) with compound (c) is the pheromone of the Southern Armyworm Moth, Prodenia (=
Spodoptera) eridania (Cramer); see Science 170, pages 542-543 (1970).
[0004] However, in field tests with a Spodoptera exigua neither the separate compounds (a)
and (c) , neither mixtures of (a) and (c) [in ratios varying from 100% (a) to 100%
(c) showed any attracting activity for the male beet armyworm moth. See: J. Econ.
Entomol. 69 , Nr. 3, pages 324-326 ( 1976).
[0005] Compound (b), the cis-11-tetradecenyl acetate is known as a component of the pheromone
of the red-banded leaf roller moth [Argyrotaenia velutinana ( Walker)] , see Nature
219 ( 1968), page 513. This compound is also known from J. Econ. Ent. 63, Nr. 3 (1970),
page 779 as a component of the pheromone of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis
(HUbner) .
[0006] Compound (d), the cis-9,cis-12-tetradecadienyl acetate has been synthesized by Fukami
and coworkers; see F. Matsamura,G.M. Boush and T.Misato: Environmental Toxicology
of Pesticides, page 571, Academic Press, New York (1972).
[0007] Further, Dutch patent application 7205229 and Science 175 (1972), 1469-70 disclose
the pheromone of the summer fruit tortrix Adoxophyes orana as a mixture of cis-9-tetradecenyl
acetate (a) and cis-11-tetradecenyl acetate (b) .
[0008] The invention relates to an attractant for the beet armyworm moth (Spodoptera exigua)
, wholly or partially consisting of a mixture of at least two compounds selected from
the group of
(a) cis-9-tetradecenyl acetate
(b) cis-11-tetradecenyl acetate
(c) cis-9, trans-12-tetradecadienyl acetate
(d) cis-9,cis-12-tetradecadienyl acetate, and
(e) tetradecyl acetate
with the exception of mixtures of compound (a) with compound (b) and of compound (a)
with compound (c).
[0009] Field tests have shown that the mixtures according to the invention have an attracting
activity which is about the same as that of female moths.
[0010] The invention also relates to a composition for attracting male beet armyworm moths
consisting of one of the above-defined attractants in combination with a carrier.
Suitable carrier materials are, for example, inert liquid or solid carriers, such
as ethanol or methanol, or e.g. paper and other porous cellulose materials, rubber,
and synthetic foams. Also, carriers may be plastics which are permeable to the molecules
of the attractant components, for example polyethylene and/or water-swellable polymers
or polymer mixtures. This kind of carriers can be used for the preparation of compositions
in the form of capsules containing an amount of the attractant according to the invention,
which attractant is released from the capsule to the surrounding area during an extended
period of time. A similar effect may obtained by incorporating the attractants according
to the invention in microcapsules.
[0011] The invention also relates to an insect trap provided with one of the above-defined
attractant mixtures, optionally combined with a carrier to form a composition. Such
insect traps are known per se, for example from J. Econ. Ent. 63, Nr. 2(1970) 370-373.
Simple insect traps which can be handled easily consist of a plastic tube open at
both ends and having a circular or polyangular, for example triangular cross-section,
a diameter of about 10-25 cm and a length of about 2 to 3 times the diameter. A sticky
glue may be applied to the bottom of the tube. The trap is provided with an amount
of the attractant according to the invention, preferably in form of a polyethylene
capsule filled with the attractant.
[0012] Finally, the invention relates to a process for controlling the beet armyworm moth,
in which said moth is exposed to an attractant. According to the invention a mixture
of at least two compounds selected from the group of the abovementioned compounds
(a) to (e) inclusive, with the exception of mixtures of compound (a) with compound
(b) and of compound (a) with compound (c), is used as the attractant.
[0013] This process may be carried out by placing insect traps containing one of the abovementioned
mixtures in an area to be protected against the beet armyworm moth. Alternatively,
the concentration of a mixture according to the invention in the air above the area
to be protected may be made so high that the male moths will become confused and will
be unable to find their female partners. This is effected by permeating the air in,
around or over the area to be protected with a sufficient amount of a mixture according
to the invention, preferably in the form of a composition releasing the attractant
at a substantially constant rate during an extended period of time.
1. Attractant for the beet armyworm moth ( Spodoptera exigua ), wholly or partially
consisting of a mixture of at least two compounds selected from the group of
(a) cis-9-tetradecenyl acetate
(b) cis-11-tetradecenyl acetate
(c) cis-9, trans-12-tetradecadienyl acetate
(d) cis-9, cis-12-tetradecadienyl acetate, and
(e) tetradecyl acetate,
with the exception of mixtures of compound (a) with compound (b) and of compound (a)
with compound (c).
2. Composition for attracting the male beet armyworm moth consisting of an attractant
according to claim 1, combined with a carrier.
3. Insect trap provided with an attractant according to claim 1 or with a composition
according to claim 2.
4. A process for controlling the beet armyworm moth (Spodoptera exigua),in which said
moth is exposed to an attractant, characterized by using a mixture as defined in claim
1 or a composition according to claim 2 as the attractant.
5. The process of claim 4, characterized in that the attractant is used in an insect
trap which is located in an area which is to be protected against said moth.
6. The process according to claim 4, characterized by using the attractant to permeate
the air in, around or over an area which is to be protected against said moth so that
the attractant concentration in said air will be such that the male moths will become
confused.